Improvement of bifacial solar panel efficiency using passive concentrator and reflector system

Bifacial solar cell can convert light into electricity with both its front and rear sides. Its efficiency and power output can be improved if appropriate concentrators or reflectors are used to boost the amount of sunlight entering both sides of the solar cells. Therefore, a concentrator and reflector has been designed, constructed and placed under a specially designed bifacial solar panel with proper spacing between individual cells (tested panel). The concentrator and reflector system comprise long triangular prisms in between solar cells with a plane mirror underneath. Another solar panel is constructed and placed on top of a plane mirror as a reference (reference panel). The concentrator and reflector system is evaluated by measuring power output of both the tested and reference panels together throughout a day under the sun. Empirical approach is developed to compensate for power output difference due to solar cell manufacturing mismatch. An assessment is carried out to evaluate efficiency improvement of the solar panel contributed by the concentrator and reflector system.